How to improve your own writing by helping other writers with theirs I’ve always had a good intuitive grasp of how to write well As far back as grade school, others asked me to read over their essays before they handed them in. This trend continued through high school and university, and I still getContinue reading “Mentor Others to Become a Better Writer Yourself”
Tag Archives: writing
Connecting During Covid
I’m back and reconnecting Over the last several months I’ve mostly been conspicuous by my absence from the writing world. I’ve written a few pieces for The Friday Fix on Medium. Here’s a free link to Careless, a 50 word microfiction. I’ve kept up with publishing Tempest in Under 1000 on the same site (moreContinue reading “Connecting During Covid”
How to Write Fight Scenes
Fight scenes and battles don’t have to be the bane of your existence The thought of writing a battle or fight scene used to terrify me. I’m just no good at visualizing all the elements involved. My eldest son is a great strategist. He’s so good no one will play games against him anymore becauseContinue reading “How to Write Fight Scenes”
Lessons for Writers from Glee
Never give up on your dreams Love it or hate it, Glee has something to teach writers. I’ve spent the last 6 weeks binge watching the show. It’s my guilty pleasure when I’m sick. The show most closely follows the lives of Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel, but the character who interests me most is Mercedes Jones.Continue reading “Lessons for Writers from Glee”
Drive a Positive Attitude to Success
Stop blocking your own way Imagine you’re going on vacation. You start out with a positive attitude, knowing you’re headed for a week away. You’re driving down the freeway, excited to spend a week seeing the sights at your chosen destination, when you’re confronted by a barricade saying “Road Closed.” You immediately turn your car aroundContinue reading “Drive a Positive Attitude to Success”
How to Create Compelling Villains
Your antagonist should be as well fleshed out as your protagonist How many great books have you read in which the antagonist is poorly defined, or worse, a caricature of a villain? I can’t think of one. In the best stories, the antagonist is as memorable and engaging as the protagonist. Think of Darth Vader,Continue reading “How to Create Compelling Villains”
The Best New Year’s Resolution for Writers in 2020 or Any Other Year
Set yourself up for success Image by USA-Reiseblogger from Pixabay I’ve never met a New Year’s resolution I couldn’t let slide and then let go. In fact, I truly believe that for myself, and likely many others, the very act of creating such a resolution sets up an inner resistance which inevitably leads to failure. New Year’sContinue reading “The Best New Year’s Resolution for Writers in 2020 or Any Other Year”
Work Less to Increase Productivity
The law of diminishing returns for writers One of the most common problems I saw as a physician at a busy university health clinic was students stressed out around their workload. These students would work ten to twelve hours or more a day and still not be able to keep up. They gave up onContinue reading “Work Less to Increase Productivity”
Welcome
Thanks for dropping in to Dascha Paylor’s author website. I hope you’ll enjoy the free short stories I’ve posted, and that you’ll check back for news. If you want to keep up with my latest blog posts on Medium and other platforms, you can sign up for my newsletter. I promise I won’t spam you.Continue reading “Welcome”